Terry Foundation funds UTSA scholarship program

(Oct. 28, 2005)--The Terry Foundation, the largest private source of scholarships for the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University - College Station, announced plans to provide similar financial support for students attending The University of Texas at San Antonio beginning fall 2006 when approximately eight freshmen are selected as the first UTSA Terry Scholars.

The Terry Foundation will continue to award scholarships to eight UTSA freshmen annually with the goal of reaching 32 within the first four years of the program.

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The award is designated for a student's first year of college with funding to cover tuition, fees, books, on-campus room and board, and miscellaneous expenses. At the discretion of the foundation's board of directors, the scholarship may be renewed annually up to four years.

Criteria for selection include academic excellence, leadership and financial need.

"We are delighted to announce the establishment of the Terry Foundation Scholarship program at UTSA," said Edward T. Cotham Jr., the foundation's president. "UTSA joins the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University - College Station, the University of Houston and Texas State University - San Marcos in hosting the largest private scholarship program in the state."

"Terry Scholars at UTSA will benefit from the school's outstanding academic programs and growing reputation for excellence," said Cotham. "We are honored to be associated with an institution of such prominence and look forward to the first UTSA scholarship awards in fall 2006."

The UTSA program and nomination process will be administered by the Honors College. UTSA students do not have to be Honors College members to be eligible.

"The Terry Foundation Scholarship program is one of the most distinguished and largest programs of its kind in the country," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. "These generous scholarships will have a tremendous impact on our students and their families. The opportunity to be named a Terry Scholar will make UTSA an even more attractive place for promising students."

Howard L. Terry, a businessman who has enjoyed success in the fields of banking, construction, real estate and energy, and his wife, Nancy M. Terry, created the Houston-based Terry Foundation in 1986. The program's goal is to make a lasting contribution to higher education in Texas. Rather than endow faculty chairs or fund buildings, the Terrys focus their philanthropy on supporting students who attend public colleges and universities.

To date, the Terry Scholarship Program has assisted more than 1,300 Texas college students. The foundation, chartered to exist in perpetuity, is funded by a $100 million endowment, and the scholarship program is designed to provide an increasing number of awards each year.